HONOLULU (KHON2) — The International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii brought together music lovers statewide on Sunday, July 20, ...

Twenty-nine amateur ukulele players – more than 100 can turn out – are blissfully gazing at an overhead projection of chords and music, strumming, singing and (yes) beaming.

The Ukulele Cowboy Society works with public domain jazz and swing music, specifically music made before 1923 that is open for use unless someone has licensed it, Chandler clarified.

That makes the ukulele less of a lifestyle challenge than, say, playing the drums or the cello. "The size definitely draws people toward the instrument," he says.

As if on cue, the ukulele cover band from Venice Beach stepped in to help. The group recorded the “Kids” video in hopes of snagging a gig with it, says Diaz, who once charmed his way out of a ...